Embarking on the journey to buy Bitcoin in California presents a wealth of options, each with its unique features and benefits. With the Golden State’s embrace of digital currencies, finding the best crypto exchange in California is a quest for security, convenience, and reliability.
As enthusiasts and savvy investors alike seek out the most efficient ways to manage their digital assets, the importance of securing the best Bitcoin wallet in California comes into sharp focus. This guide is tailored to assist you in navigating the vibrant cryptocurrency landscape of California, ensuring you’re equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions on where and how to purchase Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Whether you’re looking to trade frequently or find a safe haven for your digital currency, understanding the nuances of California’s crypto regulations will pave the way for a smooth and successful investment experience.
In California, the legal landscape for cryptocurrency is distinct and varies from the regulations of other states. The oversight of crypto-related activities falls under the purview of the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).
Entities that engage in transactions involving both fiat and digital currencies are obligated to secure a money transmitter license. Moreover, they must adhere to the state’s stringent anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) protocols.
The legislative framework was further solidified in 2019 with the introduction of Assembly Bill 1489. This legislation mandates that any business operating with virtual currencies must be licensed by the DFPI. In addition to licensing, the bill requires such businesses to hold either a surety bond or trust account, the amount of which is to be determined by the DFPI.
Looking ahead, California is considering additional legislation, specifically AB 2150, which aims to increase transparency within the cryptocurrency sector. Should this bill pass, it would compel crypto companies to reveal details regarding their ownership and management structures to the DFPI.
What you'll learn 👉
Easiest and cheapest ways to buy crypto in California
Getting bitcoins in California is not an easy task as not all popular crypto exchanges are available to California citizens. This is a current list of bitcoin exchanges that allow users from California to buy crypto. They all support buying crypto with credit/debit cards but some of them offer other payment methods as well.
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, RUB
Founded in 2013 in London, UK, and with over 4 million users, Cex.io is among the oldest cryptocurrency exchange platforms on the market. On Cex.io, you can buy, sell, trade, and store over 100 cryptocurrencies.
This centralized exchange supports fiat to crypto purchases, margin trading, spot trading, staking, lending, leverage, and savings. It has more than 100 cryptocurrencies available for trade and over 220 trading pairs. Today, Cex.io is available in more than 180 countries around the globe (including the U.S.). Cex.io applies AML and KYC policies, and it is registered with The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, GBP, EUR + more
Uphold is one of the most unique crypto platforms because it integrates both digital and physical asset trading. It was launched in 2015 in New York, and it quickly gained recognition by using proprietary technology and various e-money apps as the foundation. Commodity trading is one more unique feature that makes this crypto exchange stand out.
This exchange also offers trading of cryptos, precious metals, US equities, and Forex. One user account can access more than 50 US Stocks, 60 cryptocurrencies, 4 precious metals, and 27 national currencies. Uphold is supported in more than 180 countries worldwide, and it has around 10 million registered users. However, as of 2022, UK and EU users can no longer create accounts on the platform. The users from these countries that already have accounts will not be affected.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Free ⚡️ Trading fees: Based on spreads ⚡️ Service fees: 1% – 3% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Debit/credit cards and (SEPA) bank transfers. ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, GBP, EUR, and 15+ more
Cross-asset trading feature Simple registration process Extremely low fees More than 60 supported cryptocurrencies
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and 10+ more
Crypto.com, headquartered in Singapore, is a digital currency exchange platform. They provide a range of services such as a mobile application, trading platform, digital wallet, and an NFT marketplace. With support for over 250 cryptocurrencies, the platform enables users to transact and trade a diverse array of digital currencies.
Currently, Crypto.com is available in more than 150 countries around the world, and it has over 1.5 million users. It prides itself as a one-stop shop where crypto enthusiasts can buy, sell, transfer, spend, earn, and track cryptocurrencies.
It was known initially as Monaco Technologies but swapped to Crypto.com in July 2018. It wasn’t long for it to show that it meant business as it raised $26.7M in a token sale in June 2017 after being accepted into Supercharger, a leading FinTech accelerator. With a built-in exchange, an intuitive mobile app, prepaid VISA cards, and an increasing number of supported cryptocurrencies Crypto.com has established itself as a popular name in the cryptocurrency world.
It accepts both fiat and cryptocurrencies Mobile App (iOS and Android) It provides other financial services like crypto loans, crypto staking, DeFi, etc., depending on your country It offers tax support
The customer support could do better Fiat withdrawals take too long You need to have 50,000,000 CRO (its native token) to benefit from its highest fee discount
Best Bitcoin Wallets in California
It is never a good idea to keep your coins on an exchange as that exposes you to numerous risks (exchange hacks, fund freezes by the exchange or some government regulatory body, etc). That is why you should use one of the wallets we list below to store your digital assets.
But, which bitcoin wallet is available in this country?
The safest option is a hardware wallet like Nano X but ZenGo is also a good choice, especially for newcomers.
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Average 👛 Verification – 2-3 Days 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
Established in 2011, Kraken has carved a niche for itself as a trusted and reliable crypto exchange. It boasts support for an impressive roster of over 220 digital assets, encompassing major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and many others. Security has always been a cornerstone for Kraken, making it a go-to choice for many.
Its global footprint is vast, covering a majority of countries with only a few exceptions such as Iran and Washington state. On the convenience front, Kraken doesn’t disappoint. Users have a wide array of payment options at their disposal, and the platform is also flexible when it comes to fiat currency transactions. Additionally, seasoned traders can leverage advanced features to optimize their trading strategies.
⚡️ Deposit fees: EUR SEPA Deposit (Free) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($5 USD) – US onlyEUR Bank Wire Deposit (€10) – outside the US only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($10 USD) – outside US onlyJPY Bank deposit (Free, ¥5,000 deposit minimum) – Japan-only USD, Wire Deposit (Free) ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Cryptocurrency: Fees vary, SEPA Withdrawal (€0.09) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($5 USD) – US only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($60 USD) – outside US onlyEUR Bank Wire Withdrawal (€60) – outside US onlyJPY Bank withdrawal (¥20) – Japan onlyCAD EFT Withdrawal ($10 CAD) ⚡️ Trading fees: Maker: 0.16%Taker: 0.28% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Fedwire, Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, Wire Transfer, Etana Custody, Silvergate Exchange Network (SEN), FPS, CHAPS, and BACS, PayID, Osko ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
Available almost worldwide High security Over 90 cryptocurrencies Various payment methods
Fees slightly above the industry average No tax support
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
Coinmama is one of the oldest centralized cryptocurrency exchanges on the market. It was founded in Israel in 2013. Today, Coinmama’s head office is in Dublin, Ireland. Using this crypto exchange, you can easily and quickly buy and sell 10 different cryptocurrencies.
Coinmama is a cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy and sell a small selection of digital assets using various payment methods, including credit cards, bank account transfers, and payment apps. It is known for its easy-to-use platform and fast verification process, but it has high fees and a limited selection of cryptocurrencies. It also does not offer a wallet service and has mediocre educational content. Coinmama may be a good fit for those who want to make occasional small crypto purchases, but it may not be suitable for long-term use due to its high fees and limited features.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0 – 5 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: None ⚡️ Trading fees: 2.9 – 3.9 % ⚡️ Payment Methods: Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, Fedwire, Bank cards, Open Banking, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Skrill ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
150+ countries supported Mobile App (iOS and Android) Various payment methods Quick verification process
Fees above the industry average Only 10 cryptocurrencies No wallet or trading options, just purchases or sells
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees -Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD
Gemini Exchange, established in 2014 by the renowned investors and twins, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss—who also happened to be Harvard peers of Mark Zuckerberg—is a prominent cryptocurrency exchange.
Operating in over 60 countries, including the U.S., U.K., and Canada, Gemini provides a range of services catering to both novice investors and seasoned traders. These services encompass a trading platform, a trusted digital asset custodial service, and a sophisticated trading interface. A standout feature of Gemini is its custodial service, which boasts a substantial insurance coverage of $200 million for its cryptocurrency holders.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: 0.001 BTC ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.10% – 0.35% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Credit/debit cards, Local bank transfer ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD
Ability to set real-time market limit orders Low fees Clean user interface Strong reputation
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – CAD
CoinSmart is a crypto exchange that was launched back in 2018 by Justin Hartzman and Jeremy Koven. The main purpose of launching the exchange was to make crypto more accessible to the common person in all parts of the world.
CoinSmart is based in Toronto, Canada. CoinSmart offers two types of trades to its users – single trade and double trade. Single trade is a trade with any crypto against fiat currency or BTC. The fee for a single trade is 0.2%. Double trade is a trade of two cryptos (other than BTC). CoinSmart does not support advanced crypto features such as staking, lending, borrowing, or margin trading.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0 – 6 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: 1% ($15 Minimum) ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.20% for a single trade and 0.40% for double trade ⚡️ Payment Methods: Interac E-transfer, Bank draft, SEPA, Wire transfer, Credit card, Debit card, Simplex, and Crypto assets ⚡️ Supported fiat: CAD
It is regulated The user-friendly, simple-to-use interface Easy and fast deposit and withdrawal process Customer support is on a decent level
A low number of supported cryptocurrencies No advanced features such as staking, lending, borrowing, or margin trading Not available in the US
Frequently asked questions about buying Bitcoin in California
What is the best way to buy Bitcoin in the USA❓
The best way to buy cryptocurrency in the USA is through an exchange such as Coinbase (42 states excluding California), Kraken, Gemini, Coinmama, or Changelly.
Is it legal to buy Bitcoin in the USA❓
Purchase and exchange of cryptocurrencies are totally legal across the country. While there is no federal legislation for crypto assets in the US, the bodies at the federal level have offered guidance to states.
Is Bitcoin Safe and legal❓
As of June 2021, bitcoin was legal in the U.S., Japan, the U.K., and most other developed countries. In general, it is necessary to look at bitcoin laws in specific countries. In the U.S., the IRS has taken an increasing interest in bitcoin and has issued guidelines for taxpayers.
Is Bitcoin a good investment❓
Cryptocurrency may be a good investment if you are willing to accept it is a high risk gamble which could pay off – but also that there is a strong chance you could lose all of your money. It is important before investing in bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies that you go in with your eyes open.
Can you buy Bitcoin in California❓
Coinbase is the largest Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency broker in California. They represent an easy and fast way for new users to purchase crypto. Coinbase charges 3.99% fees for debit card purchases but you can get your coins instantly. Another payment option for US customers is using a connected bank account.
As the Head of Content at Captainaltcoin, I bring years of experience in the crypto industry. With a strong belief in the potential of the web3 market since 2017, I'm passionate about sharing valuable insights and knowledge.
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